Trojans Reach Championship Game, Season of Record Setting & Accolades

Portland, OR - Trojan softball's incredible run to the NWAC Championship came up just short on Sunday, falling to the undefeated Lower Columbia College Red Devils 9-1 in the final game of the season.  The future Hall of Fame team finished a perfect 48-0 on the year, but the Trojans put up a fight through the first three innings, trailing 2-0 before the Devils broke loose in the 4th.  EvCC was able to string together 5 hits, compared to LCC's 6 but a combination of walks and two home runs ended up being the difference.  All American pitcher Zoey Hughes kept most of the Trojan batters off balance, but Ava Puaatuua went 3 for 3 (all singles) and Kenidee Holden scored the lone run on a solo home run to left center.  

Everett's tremendous season ended with a 38-13 overall record, 26-6 in the north region which clinched the north region title for the third time in the past five seasons.  The win total marks the second most number of wins all time at EvCC and head coach Randy Smith eclipsed the 500-win mark, bringing his career total at Everett to 512 wins.  Statistically this is arguably one of the best offensive teams in program history. The .406 team batting average is the third best, 205 walks drawn is the second most, and the 506 runs scored, 605 hits, 131 doubles, 29 triples, 68 stolen bases, and 454 RBI's all ranks as the most in Everett Community College Softball history.  

Several Trojans received post season honors. Kirstyn Scott and Shayne Hoekendorf were named Second Team All-Region, Taryn Takayoshi, Emma Hansen, Ava Puaatuua, and Olivia Boures were named First Team All-Region, Alissa Hermansen was named north region pitcher of the year, and catcher Emmajoy Wise was named the north region's most valuable player.  This is the second time in the past three years that a Trojan has won the MVP award.  Maddie German won the honor in 2023.  Randy Smith and his assistants were named the north region coaching staff of the year.  This is the fifth time Coach Smith has won the award.  Wise, Takayoshi, Hansen, and Hermansen were also named to the NWAC All-Tournament team, while Hermansen received NFCA All-American Honors.  

Ten sophomores finished their Everett Community College careers.

Emma Hansen played in 87 career games (6th most all time), has the EvCC all-time single season runs scored record (82) and career runs (128), as well as the hits record for single season (90) and career (150), and triples single season (9) and career (14). Also tied the single season home run record (17) and is third in career HR's (25). Has the single season RBI record and career RBI record (85) and (137). Her single season batting average ranks tied for 7th and career batting average ranks 5th.  

Taryn Takayoshi played in 87 career games (6th most all time), scored 71 career runs (10th), 5th in single season hits (75), 2nd in career hits (133), 2nd in single season singles (60), 1st in career singles (109), Tied for 4th in single season RBI's (63), Tied for second in career RBI's (121), tied for 9th in career walks (37), and 7th in career batting average (.452).

Olivia Boures played in 82 career games, with 15 doubles this season (10th all time), and is tied for 7th all-time in career walks with 38. Her batting average this season was .392 with 56 hits.

Alissa Hermansen played in 84 games (tied for 10th in a career), and had 98 career hits (tied for 8th all time) and 278 career strikeouts as a pitcher (2nd all time).  She also has 22 career doubles (10th all time).

Shayne Hoekendorf appeared in 74 career games with 38 hits and 38 RBI's. She also had 10 steals this season which is tied for 10th at EvCC and also started every game in center field with 81 putouts and added 4 assists. 

Gracie Salverda appeared in 74 career games, scoring 74 career which ranks 9th all-time at EvCC and 37 career walks which ranks 10th all time.  She really made her mark on the base paths, and stole 14 bags this season (tied for 5th) and had 31 in her career (2nd all time).

Kirstyn Scott transferred to EvCC for her sophomore season and played in 38 games and had 39 hits with 14 RBI's and 25 runs scored.  She played solid at 2nd base with a .940 fielding percentage.

Ava Puaatuua appeared in 64 career games and was often the leadoff hitter this season.  She tallied 5 triples this season which is tied for second most in a single season and 7 in her career which is tied for third all-time at EvCC.  She had a career 60 hits with 63 runs scored and also pitched 63 career innings with 50 strikeouts.

Kenidee Holden was a rangy outfielder that played in 57 career games with 36 hits and scored 39 career runs. She had a perfect fielding percentage as a corner outfielder with 46 put outs and caught the last out in the semifinal game against CBC sending Everett to the championship game.

Lily Bellak had 18 career at bats with 2 hits, one of which was a double, and had 3 RBI's while also scoring 3 runs.  This season Lily played a big role in the dugout charting pitches and batters helping the Trojans reach the Championship game.